Taliban Promise Fair Trial for 8 Christian Foreigners

KABUL, Afghanistan, SEPT. 30, 2001 (Zenit.org).- The Taliban's chief justice said the threat of an imminent U.S. attack would not influence the court trial of eight foreigners accused of trying to convert Afghan Muslims to Christianity, Reuters reported.

"The current developments in the face of America's possible attack will not affect the proceedings of the trial," the Taliban's chief justice, Noor Mohammad Saqib, told the eight today. "There will be no discrimination or injustice against you."

Saqib said the eight - four Germans, two Australians and two Americans - would be tried on the basis of Islamic law. The trial resumed today.

The trial had been adjourned from Saturday because the arrival of Pakistani defense lawyer Atif Ali Khan had been delayed by uncertainties surrounding the threat of attack by the United States in pursuit of Saudi-born fugitive Osama bin Laden.

The United States has vowed to hunt down bin Laden - chief suspect in the Sept. 11 attacks on New York and Washington - and punish his Taliban protectors.

ZEN - Zenit
30. september 2001